I mean, is this it?

 You’ve been holding your shit together for everyone—and you are so fucking tired.

The world feels like it’s on fire.
Your hormones got you ragey.

And you’ve been burned out probably since 2020.

You’re not broken. You’re just fried. Crispy.

So if you’re feeling exhausted, cynical, or slightly feral lately…

Good.

That might just mean you’re ready for something better.

Something louder.
Something real.
Something fun as hell. 

THURSDAY - JULY 16, 2026

DAY 1: HAPPINESS 

OPTIONAL DRESS: SPARKLE BITCHES! Wear your sequins, tinsel, or most shiniest outfit!

Check-in 8:30 AM | Sessions 9 AM – 3 PM | Lunch on your own

Theme: Turns out, what we learned about being happy was BS.  Today is about fixing that.

9:00 AM – Welcome & Guidelines
Meet Kira and get a preview of the joy ride ahead.

9:45 AM – The Lies We Were Told About Happiness 
An eye-opening & humorous look at how our culture set us up to chase the wrong things—and what to focus on instead for bringing lots more joy into our life.

10:30 AM – Morning Break with Totally Relatable Game Show (always new)
Stretch, hydrate, and learn how NOT alone you are with our mini game show.

11:00 AM – How We Actually Get Happy
Turns out happiness isn’t magic—it’s a skill (and one no one ever taught us). We’ll dig into how your brain actually creates joy—and how to spark more of it on purpose—in a way that’s equal parts science, humor, and “ohhh, that totally tracks.”

12:00 PM – Lunch (on your own) with new friends!

AFTERNOON FUN GROUP ACTIVITIES

1:00 PM – Let's Make a Disco Queen Crown Sing-a-long
This is not your kid’s craft time — it’s an unapologetic, laughter-filled creative break where midlife women claim their crowns and their confidence. Think sparkly chaos, bold music, loud singing, and a sea of women celebrating who they are right now.

No perfection required — just jewels, attitude, and joy. 

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM – Drag Bingo 
Hosted by one of Portland’s best queens, Kimberly will lead us in multiple games of bingo for sparkly prizes. You’ll yell, you’ll cackle, you’ll wonder why all learning doesn’t involve wigs and lip gloss.

Ridiculous prizes, zero judgment, maximum serotonin.   

4:00 - 6:00 PM – Optional Upgrade Activity:

WIG & WILD BOWLING

Keep on your sparkles but let's take it up a notch and hit up the bowling alley.

Grab the funniest most colorful wig & accessories you can find and let's go bowling!

There will be zero dignity, a lot of laughter, and a surprising amount of commitment to the bit.

No bowling skills required. Just vibes, fake trash talk, and fully becoming the loudest, most ridiculous version of yourself.

$40 Per Person

FRIDAY - JULY 17, 2026

DAY 2:  RELEASING THE BULLSHIT

DRESS: COME READY FOR MESSY! 

Sessions 9 AM – 3 PM | Lunch on your own

Theme: We were handed a whole starter pack of bullshit beliefs… and somehow got stuck carrying them. Not anymore.

9:00 AM –  Group Intros Now that we’ve had some fun together, let’s actually get to know each other a little bit more. Just real humans, in a room, being honest about where they are right now.

10:15 - Unlearn the Bullshit: Roles, Rules & Beliefs It’s kind of wild to look back at what we were taught as girls in the 80s and 90s.

11: 30 AM

Not My Monkeys, Not My Circus Game Show

A fast, funny, slightly chaotic reality check on what’s actually yours to carry… and what absolutely isn’t.

In this game show-style session, we take a hard look at all the things you’ve been managing, fixing, anticipating, and stressing over—and start separating what’s in your control from what was never your job in the first place.

Because somewhere along the way, a lot of us became responsible for:  everyone’s feelings, everyone’s reactions, and everything going smoothly.

And it’s fucking exhausting.

Through quick-fire rounds and real-life scenarios, you’ll start to see just how much you’ve been holding that doesn’t belong to you.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON FUN GROUP ACTIVITIES

1:30 PM – RAGE PAINTING & LET IT ALL GO PARTY
During lunch get changed into your messy clothes & meet Kira & the rest of the ladies at ART PDX for an afternoon of getting it all out.  (About 5 minute uber ride)

Inspired by Fem Rage Co across the pond, we are doing an afternoon of RAGE PAINTING!

Loud music.
Dancing & Singing at the top of our lungs
Yelling & Laughing.
Paint flying ALL OVER THE PLACE!
Energy moving.

All the frustration, pressure, anger, and “I’m fine” you’ve been carrying?  Yeah. Not coming home with you. We leave it on the canvas.

Messy.
Liberating.
A little chaotic.
And way more powerful than you expect.

3:00 PM – Optional Upgrade Activity:

Baby Goat Cuddle Party

Baby goats are pure, unfiltered joy! After all the rage & release, let's go laugh & chill with baby goats.

We’ll split everyone into small groups so you get a full 20–30 minutes of uninterrupted baby goat cuddles. Because sometimes joy literally has four paws and a wagging tail. 

$40 per person

SATURDAY - JULY 18, 2026

DAY 3: WHAT LIGHTS YOU UP!

Sessions 9 AM – 3 PM | Lunch on your own

9:00 AM – What Actually Lights You Up Now
After years of being everything to everybody...this session is about getting back to you.

What gives you energy, what you keep coming back to, and what you may have pushed aside while being responsible, helpful, and “good.”

You will walk away with a list of things you can start adding to your day for more joy & happiness.

10:00 AM – Bio & Dance Break
Of course you want to learn 

10:45 AM – Your Joy Roadmap: How to Actually Build a Life That Feels Good to Live In
Clarity is great—but it means nothing if it stays in a notebook.
This is where we turn what you just uncovered into something real.

You’ll build a simple, flexible roadmap to start adding more joy, connection, and meaning into your actual life—not someday, not when things calm down… now.

Think:

• Where does this fit into your real week?
• Who do you want more of in your life—and how do you actually make that happen?
• What small shifts create a big difference in how your days feel?

You’ll leave with a plan that feels doable, personal, and actually exciting to follow through on.

12:00 PM – Lunch (On Your Own)

AFTERNOON FUN GROUP ACTIVITIES

1:00 PM – New Mantra Keychains Craft

A little sparkle, a little chaos, and just the right amount of attitude.

We are making resin keychains with your new personal mantra that you created that weekend.

Clip it onto your keys or bag as a daily reminder: you’re allowed to take up space, have opinions, and bring a little main character energy wherever you go.

2:00 PM – Mrs. Roper Romp Scavenger Hunt
Grab your caftan, wig, and your sense of adventure — it’s time for the Mrs. Roper Romp Scavenger Hunt! I'll break you into small groups & you’ll explore, laugh, and complete delightfully ridiculous challenges with your fellow midlife mischief-makers. Expect silly challenges, teamwork, and pure joy — because who said personal growth can’t include a little sparkle and chaos?

Mrs. Roper dress up is HIGHLY encouraged!

After the scavenger hunt, stay in costume & we will head out somewhere to laugh, grab a mocktail or cocktail, and celebrate our last night together.

SUNDAY - MARCH 1, 2026

DAY 4: THE SPARK SEND-OFF

Sessions 9 AM – 12 PM 

Theme:
You’re not “going back” — you’re taking the good stuff forward.

9:00 AM – How to Take This Home
The goal isn’t to go back and “do better.” It’s to go home and be different. Together, we’ll talk about what it actually looks like to bring Spark into real life — the mindset shifts and the tiny joy habits that help you protect your peace when life gets loud again.

9:45 AM – (Spark Note to Future Me)
This isn’t homework — it’s a time capsule. You’ll write a short, funny, heartfelt note to your future self — the one who might forget how good this weekend felt. 
We’ll seal them up and mail them back to you in a few weeks — right when you need the reminder that she’s still in there: calm, confident, and covered in glitter.

10:15 AM – Quick Bio & Hug Break

10:30 AM – Q&A with Kira
Nothing’s off-limits. Coaching questions, midlife rants, Spark curiosities — this is your time to dig deeper, reflect, or just say the thing you’ve been thinking all weekend. It’s part conversation, part celebration, and totally real.

11:00 AM – Glimmer Gathering 
We’ll circle up for one last collective moment — sharing glimmers, reflections, and our biggest takeaways from the weekend.

This is where we wrap it all up — with gratitude, laughter, and maybe a few tears.
A short reflection, some heartfelt words, and a few hugs later, you’ll head out carrying more calm, more clarity, and a deeper sense of connection — to yourself and to this community.

12:00 PM – Departures & Hugs

This isn't goodbye. Just a "see you soon" at the next Spark!

JOY ADDITIONS FOR SPARK PORTLAND

THE SPARKLE BAR

From the second you walk in… it’s game on.

Glitter. Sparkly tattoos. Sequins. Gold freckles. Probably a few questionable decisions.

This is your official permission slip to be extra, a little ridiculous, and fully seen.

No rules. No subtlety.
Just you… but shinier.

Hey, I’m Kira!

Your Gen X, no-BS positive psychology coach, & midlife hype woman.

For the past 18+ years, I helped women get out of their own way to create unshakeable self-worth, joy, & relationships.

I mix positive psychology, brain science, and real-life midlife magic to help you create joy that actually lasts. No perfection, no pretending—just real women, real laughter, and real change.

Because you’re not broken, behind, or too old to start something new.

You’re right on time.
And Spark is where it gets fun again.

This is my 32nd retreat!

I've been running retreats since 2014 & they are kinda my thing.

Helping women cut through the noise and figure out what actually lights them up — not what looks good on paper, not what other people expect, but what makes sense for who you are right now is my daily goal.

Not the version of you who held it all together while quietly burning out. The current you — smart, capable, maybe a little crispy around the edges, but ready for something more grounded, more joyful, and a hell of a lot more you.

I’ve spent years coaching and studying positive psychology, but more importantly, I’ve spent years having real conversations with women who are tired of running on autopilot.

Working with me feels like having a smart, thoughtful, no-fluff friend who gives you advice you can trust...in your corner.

Because this part of your story?
It’s not the end. It’s the beginning of something way better.

"We shared stories, the hard stuff, the messy stuff, lots of stuff that usually stays quiet. There were tears. There was a LOT of laughter. And there were crayons and so much glitter, and puppies and rage rooms and Mrs. Roper costumes and choreo, and somehow all of those things felt equally healing."

JENNY - FLORIDA

I signed up for this event during the gov't shutdown in Oct/Nov.  I had nothing but time on my hands to consider and evaluate "what am I doing?", found this retreat, and set everything up. 

As the time came for me to go to San Diego, the only hesitation was the same one that comes before anything I sign up for... I get comfy and as the time to leave arrives I begin to question -

Do I really want to do this?  Is this worth the money, time, & energy?  

It was indeed worth it!!  

I was most surprised at the common shared experiences of all women in the room. We could all share a similar language thru our individual lenses and life experiences.

Attend with an open heart, speak up about your experiences because you are not alone, and dive deep into the fun.  Don't sit on the sideline or hide in the hotel room.  

_{REBECCA - WASHINGTON}